by Dr.
M. JeenaDeputy Director General
Ministry of Education, South Africa

South Africa would like to congratulate UNESCO, ICSU and the Hungarian
government for bringing together science and technology stakeholders at this international
forum to deal with problems and challenges facing science. South Africa would like to
support the Draft Declaration on Science and the Use of
Scientific Knowledge.

We welcome the concept of a social contract, which appears to be fully
endorsed at this Conference. However to give effect to these objectives and ideals,
scientists and decision-makers from the developing countries, especially in Africa, should
play a more active role in determining the agenda for science within international
organisations and international forums. This interaction will, we believe, not only
enhance science's contribution to the social contract but global science will be able to
benefit from the experiences and history of African scientists whilst at the same time we
can benefit from global science's contributing to our vision of the African Renaissance.

At a micro-level a similar situation exists. It IS largely natural and
pure scientists who determine the research agenda for society. There is also a need for
science to take a lead from broader society. This implies a greater role for the social
scientists and non-governmental organizations to ensure that the Science Agenda - Framework for Action becomes not only
legitimate, but also relevant. We developed our National System of' Innovation after broad
consultation between science and society. The Research and Technology Foresight programme
that we are conducting has provided opportunity for government, industry, scientists and
civil society to determine the research agenda of our county.

The theme of the World Conference on Science, Science for the
21st Century: a New Commitment, is correctly grounded in a reflection on the
relationship between science and society and a desire to highlight issues of social
justice, equity, political choice and the ethical responsibility of scientists in the
practice of science.

This focus comes at a time when we are seeing an ever-growing gap
between the developed and emerging economies. While science and technology have been
partially responsible for these disparities, it is imperative that, in this new era,
science is utilised to further the cause of global equity. We accept that science alone
will not be able to achieve global equity. However, the achievement of this goal will need
the integration of science with an enlightened, global political approach.

From a developing-country perspective the question of education,
particularly science education, is critical. In a world where information and knowledge
are generated at such a rapid pace and where knowledge is a necessary commodity for
competitiveness, it is essential for developing countries to have access to, and to
create, knowledge. As we develop this capacity we also need to be mindful of the
importance of enhancing the science awareness of the decision-makers as well as the
public. The public understanding of science and technology is one of our priority areas as
reflected in the fact that our President declared 1998 the Year of Science and Technology.

As we bring about changes in our scientific literacy, the education
platform requires infrastructural development. The availability of communication networks
not only for facilitating rapid communication in the South-North direction but also to
promote South-South interactions is vital. An extensive investment in information
technology can be one of the vehicles that allow developing countries to participate in
the new knowledge societies.

Our government has adopted and supported the philosophy of the African
Renaissance, which aspires to the rebirth and regrowth of the continent. South Africa
believes that the next century will indeed be the century of Africa. This with start with
the World AIDS Conference in 2000 and hopefully the World Cup in 2006. Science and
technology will need to underpin these efforts.

In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, South
Africa has started collaborating with neighbouring countries. To this end, a meeting of
the Permanent Secretaries/Directors-General for Science and Technology was organised by
our Ministry in collaboration with UNESCO in Pretoria, South Africa in April 1999

identify science and technology priorities for the promotion of economic growth.

The recommendations of this Associated Meeting have been submitted as
background material to this Conference. There is no doubt that through this humble
beginning the SADC region is attempting to address its problems in a coordinated fashion.
In order to strengthen and sustain this effort we will need support from the international
organisations. The region hopes it will soon be able to create a knowledge pool that it
can share with the African continent and with the international community at large.

In conclusion, last year we uncovered a 3.3 million-year-old skeleton
which affirms South Africa's position as the cradle of humankind. We now look forward to
the next millennium reaffirming Africa's integration into the global home and humankind.